RE:THINK WATER USAGE

10 Easy Ways to Preserve and Save Water

When it comes to conserving water, small adjustments can have a big impact. Here you can sort through 10 easy water-saving tips (source: France-Libertes.org).

1. Save tap water, it's priceless

"If you leave your tap running, you spend an average of 12 litres of water per minute." So turn off the tap while brushing your teeth or when you are washing up. If you drink tap water you can keep it in the fridge in a closed box for 24 hours only. You should also drink and prepare your meals with cold water instead of hot water, as bacteria develop more easily in warm water.

2. Save water while washing

It is better to have a shower instead of a bath, as the latter consumes 2 to 5 times more water than a shower (80 l on average for a shower and 150 l for a bath). You can also reduce your water consumption by equipping your bathroom with basic devices such as pressure-reducing valves.

3. Clean your house without chemical detergents

Certain products such as chemical detergents or washing liquids (or powders) are not absorbed by wastewater treatment plants. So they are carried to lakes and rivers and pollute them. Aquatic ecosystems are endangered and the proliferation of green algae is increased.

4. Use an eco-friendly washing machine

"A" class washing-machines significantly reduce water consumption (by 50%) and electricity consumption (by 44%). They also have a higher wash load than "C" class washing-machines. You’re advised to select the "economy-wash" programme in order to save water and electricity.

5. Use your dishwasher advisedly

A dishwasher consumes around 10 l of fresh drinking water per wash whereas washing-up by hand consumes 42 l. Remember to use your dishwasher at full capacity.

6. Use 100% recycled paper and limit your printouts

One ton of recycled paper saves 20,000 litres of water. That is why if you use unbleached 100% recycled paper instead of bleached paper you save 90% of water and 50% of energy.

7. Collect rainwater, Nature will be grateful

Rainwater may be used for all activities not requiring drinking water. Rainwater collection for domestic purposes is an increasingly popular practice that not only saves water but also helps avoid overloading drainage systems during flooding.

8. Water your garden economically

In order to reduce water consumption in your garden you should water only what needs to be watered (do not water your garden all the time but between September and April, water in the evening, let water dry up before each new watering, opt for programmed watering etc...).

9. Use less water when washing your car

When you wash your car with tap water, you consume on average 200 l of water. If you go to a car wash, roll washing consumes 100 to 350 l and high pressure washing uses 50 to 60 l. Today, it is possible to wash your car at home without water, especially with biodegradable products, or to go to specific waterless car wash.

10. Choose a dual flush toilet system

This flushing system allows you to reduce toilet water consumption by 15 litres per day for a two-person household. If you don’t have one, you just need to put a sand-filled bottle inside the cistern. This system will reduce your toilet water consumption by 50%.

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